Moving & Your Medical Team

Peak moving season runs from April to September. If you’re planning to move more than a short distance, you’ll need to find new doctors and get to know the healthcare landscape near your new home. Building a great medical team takes effort, but it’s important to your family’s health.

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During the pandemic, many people relocated temporarily, only to find themselves settling into their new location as the pandemic continued. In cases like this, healthcare is often an afterthought.

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Nance*, 73, made a temporary move from upstate New York to the Atlanta area in March 2020. Planning to keep her NY doctors, she postponed her routine care because of Covid. In December 2020, she was still in Atlanta when a heart attack sent her to the ER. She recovered in a rehab facility and then had to arrange for homecare. Being in an unfamiliar area put her at a disadvantage, as she had to quickly make important decisions about treatment and facilities. She also found it challenging to coordinate care between unfamiliar providers and programs.

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When making healthcare decisions, it’s important to have as much information as possible. These choices aren’t easy even when you’re working with doctors you know and trust, but they become far more difficult in a new town.

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Our transient lives make healthcare more complex. Whenever someone moves to a new community, they have to find new doctors, determine if their insurance is accepted, and figure out where to go if they need an emergency room or urgent care—and that's just the beginning.

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Instead of asking a friend or your realtor to recommend a primary care doctor, think of your move as an opportunity to reevaluate your medical team. This is especially important if someone in your family is sick, immunocompromised, or elderly. For guidance on evaluating providers, read our tips on how to find a great doctor, along with red flags to look out for.

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Moving is stressful, but healthcare doesn't have to be. If you have moved recently, are planning a move, or have a child moving away to college, an expert health advisor can ease the transition. 

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A health advisor will work with you to identify the best local doctors and specialists, assess how well your health insurance plan meets your needs, have your medical records transferred to your new providers, and more.

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*Name and identifying details have been changed.